System of electric distribution.



Patented Apr. 23, 1901. A. s. HUBBARD & B. N. CHAMBERLAIN.

SYSTEM OF ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION.

(Application filed In. 13, 1901.) (In IMOI.)

ms NaRRls PETERS co., wusuuvarouv D. c

battery assists the dynamo, in supplying curchange.

keptat restwhen an equilibrium exists, while distribution provided with our improvements. Fig. 2 is a detached diagrammatic view show- UNITED STATES CHAMBERLAIN, -OF DEPEW,

PATENT )Orrrcn.

JERSEY, AND RUFUS N. w roan, ASSIGNORS TO GOULD STORAGE BATTERY COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.-

\ ,SYSTEM OF ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTIbN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 672,6C 3, dated April 23, 1901.

Application fild March 13, 1901. serial No. 50,903. (No d m To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that We,.ALBERT S. HUBBARD, a resident of Belleville, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, and RUFUS'N. CHAMBERLAIN, a resident of Depew, in the county of Erie and State of New York, citizens of the United States, have invented new and useful Improvements in Systems of Electric Distribution, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of systems of electrical distribution in which a storage battery is combined with a dynamo in such manner that the-battery receives the excess of output of the dynamo when the output exceeds the load-on the line, while the rent to the line when the load exceeds the outputof the dynamo, and in which the bat-' tery is provided with end cells and a switch by which cells can be cut in or out, as may be necessary to maintaina substantially uniform action of the apparatus under varying conditions of load and dynamo output.

One object of our invention is to provide simple and eflicient means for automatically controlling the cutting in and out of end cells as the conditions of load and dynamo output To that end we provide counteracting coils which control the field of a dynamoby which the motor of the end-cell switch is actuated in such manner that this motor is when the equilibrium is disturbed the motor is actuated in the proper direction to cut end cells in or out, as the case may be, until the equilibrium is restored.

Another object of our invention is to provide simple and efficient means for charging the end cells of the battery.

' In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a system of electrical ing the switches and connections for charging the end cells.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in both figures.

A represents a large main dynamo, and A a small main dynamo, both connected in the f resents a wire connecting the wire B of the' main line with the other terminal of name through the bus-bar ct. mo A or A operates as a'main dynamo for the dy- -supplying the main line, a large dynamo A being used in some cases when a heavy current is required and a smaller dynamo A when a lighter current suifices.

D represents a storage battery having a series of end cells E, which can be cutinto-or out of circuit by an automatic switch F. switch is connected by a wire 61 with the busbar a, and the opposite pole of the battery is connected by awire d with the Wire 0. The automatic switch F may be of any suitable construction, that indicated in the drawings involving a pivoted switch-leverf, provided with a gear-segmentf', in which engagesa worm g. The latter is actuated by a motor G yvhich is supplied withcurrent from an other suitable means. The action of this switch -actuating dynamo is autdrn'atically controlled in such a way that this dvnamo is rendered inefiective and generates no current and does not actuate the switch-motor when the output of the main dynamo is equal to the load on the main line, while when ;he1oad Either dynaauxiliary dynamo H, driven by a motor H or increases beyond the capacity of the main dynamo and the battery discharges and augments thecurrent or when the load drops below the output of the main dynamo and the This battery receives current therefrom the switchactuating dynamo is rendered efiective in one i or the other direction and generates a current which actuates the switch-motor in the proper direction to cut in cells or cut out cells, as the case may be. To efiect this automatic regulation, the action of the switch-v dynamo H is controlled by three counteract i field-magncts of the switch-dynamo or otherwise arranged in such proximity to the armature of this dynamo that this armature is placed under the influence of those coils. The coil I is formed in a shunt-wire c', which is connected across the wires B B of the main line or across the wires 1; c, or arranged in, any other suitable manner so as to conduct part of the main current. The coil K is formed in series in the'wire a, leading from the main dyu amo to themain line. The coilL is formed in the wire 01, connecting one of the terminals of the battery with the wire 0, preferably with the coil K in the same. The shunt-coil I and the, series coil K are so wound and connected that the magnetic eiifect of one is opposed to that of the other. The battery-coil L is so wound and connected that it forms a magnetic continuation of the series coil K in the direction in which the current passes from the main dynamo A or A to the battery and charges the same. The efiiect of the shunts coill upon the series c'oil K is regulated by a variable resistance 1, according to the capacity of thedynamo or dynamos in use, so that these two coils normally balance each other.

M is a switch which connects the batterywire 01, in which the battery-coil is arranged, with the series coil Kin such manner that a greater or less portion of this coil can be placed in circuit withthe battery. By adjusting this switch the working of the battery andthe dynamo with reference to the external load is regulated. The smaller the amount of series coil K which is in circuit with the battery the greater is the proportion of the load which is taken by the battery, and

vice versa. An auxiliary switch M is connected by one contact with the series coil K,

between the switch M and that part of the wire which leads from the series coil to the main line. The other contact of this auxiliary switch M is connected with the battery-- wire (1 between the battery-coil L and the switch M. By means of this auxiliary switch a division can be made of that part of the series coil which is undivided by the switch M.

A variable sh nut-resistance 'm is arranged between the battery-coil L and the auxiliary switch M, whereby the portion of the'series coil K between the switchesM and M can be regulated.

' The regulating eitect of the entire series coil K can be adjusted by a variable shuntresistance K. When a dynamo of large capacity is used, this shunt-=resistance is reduced, and vice versa.

The battery-coil L is provided "with a va- 5 riable shunt-resistance L, by which the rate of discharge of the battery canbe adjusted.

A variable risistance h is arranged in the line h, which connects the switch-dynamo H with the switch-motor G. By means of this resistance the speed of the motor and the rapidity of starting can be nicely regulated.

erases A variable shunt-resistance N is provided for regulating that portion of the series coil K which lies between the switch M and the main dynamo.

Assuming that the output of the main dynamo is equal to the load on the main line, the current passes from one terminal of the dynamo through the wire a, series coil K, line B, translating device 1), line B, and wire a hack to the opposite terminal of the dynamo. A part of the current also passes through the shunt-coil 1''. Under these conditions the effect of the shunt-coil upon the field of the switch-dynamo H balances or neutralizes the efiect of the series coil K, whereby the switchdynamo is rendered ineffective and generates no current, although it is rotated by the mo- The end-cell switch F is not disturbed, and the battery neither charges nor discharges. When the load on the main line increases above the output of the main dynamo, the battery discharges to make up they deficiency and augments the current passing through the series coil K ,to the main line. Thisaugmented current passing through the series coil K causes the same to preponderate in effect over that of the shunt-coil 1 upon the'field of the switch-dynamo H, rendering the latter effective and causing the generation cfa current in such a direction that the motor G is actuated in the proper direction to shift the switch F forward to cut in more cells, thereby increasing the electromotive force of theba'ttery until an equilibrium has been cstab-lished. The battery-current in discharg- I ing flows from one terminal of the'battery through the wire 01, coil L, switch M, partof series coil K, wire 0, line B, translating device h, line B, wire a, wired, and automatic switch F tp the opposite terminal of the battery. The battery-current in passing through the coil L neutralizes to a greater or less extent the excesseifect of the series coil K over the shuntrcoil I. When a sufficient number of 'cells have been cut into the circuit to raise the voltage 50 high that the battery supplies the excess load, the efiect of the battery-coil L completely neutralizes the excess excitation produced by the series coil K. The switchdynamo H is now rendered inefiective, the switchgmotcr G comes to rest, the switch remains in its position, and the battery discharges the current required by the excess load on the line. Should the discharge of the battery continue for a considerable time, the

battery voltage drops and the current output is reduced. The effect of the battery-coil L is correspondingly reduced and the effectof the series-coil K again preponderates, whereby the switclrdynamo is. again rendered effectiveand the switch-motor is again actuated to cut more cells into .the circuit until the equilibrium is restored, when the coils again neutralize each other and the switch-motor again comes to rest. When the load on the main line drops below the output of the main dynamo, the excess output of the latter passes into the battery, flowing from one terminal of the dynamo through the wire c,-part of series coil K, switch M, battery-coil L,'battery, automatic switch F, and wire (1 to opposite terminal of dynamo. A reduction of the load on the main line causes a reduction in the effectof the series coil K and a preponderance in the elfect of the shunt-coil I. This causes a reversal in the field of the switchdynamo H, whereby the latter is caused to generate a current in the opposite d irection that is to say, of such a polarity that it rotates the switch motor G in that direction in which it shifts the automatic SWltcl1 i)ztGk'- ward to out out cells until the battery is reduced .to the point at which it receives the excess output of the dynamo. Under this condition the current passes through the battery-coil L in such a direction as to assist. the magnetizing efifect of the series coil K-until the combined elfect of the coils K and L neutralizes the effect of the shunt-coil I, when the switch-dynamo again ceases to generate and the switch-motor stops. "If the charge continues for a considerable length of time, the counter electromotive force of the battery increases as the charge proceeds, whereby the current entering the battery through the proper'direction to cut in more cells until the namo and the batteryequal.

equilibrium is restored. When the battery has been fully charged, the circuit between the switch-dynamo and the switch-motor is opened and the automaticswitch F is adjusted by hand to cut in suflic'ient cells to make the electromotive force of the main dy- If the underload on the main line continues for some length of time, it is economical and advantageous to shut down themain dynamo and supply the main line from the battery alone. Under these conditions the current flows from one terminal of the battery through the coil L, switch M, part'of coil K, and wire 0 to the main line and back through the wire 0', wire d, and switch F. When the current is supplied from the battery only, the switch-motor H is stopped by opening its switch 0, and theregulation of the battery is efiected by shifting the automatic switch F by hand, the

switch being provided with a hand-wheel p for this purpose.

Q represents, an auxiliary dynamo for g" r represent two series of charging-com tacts which are connected with the end cells.

and R R. are two switch-levers connected with the terminals of the auxiliary generator and so arranged that the lever B can be connected with either of the contacts r and the lever B with either of the contacts r. The first end cell of the series--in other words, the end cell nearest the body or main cells of the battery-is connected only with the first contact of the first series i by aconductor s. The last end cell is connected only with the last contact of the second series r by a conductor s. The intermediate end cells are each connected with one contact of each series by two conductors 1. Z. By this arrangement of contacts and switches the chargingdynamo can be connected with any single end cell or with any two or more adjoining end cells, as may be desired.

We claim as our invention-- 1. The combination with the main line, a main generatorsupplyingcnrrent to the same, a storage battery, a switch for cutting cells in or out, and a motor for shifting said switch, of a generator supplying current to said motor, and counteracting coils arranged to magnetically control the field of said switch-actuating generator, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination with the main line, a main generator supplying current to the same, a storage battery,a switch for cutting cells in or out, a motor for shifting said switch and a generator supplying current to said motor, of a coil arranged in series with the main genorator and the main line, a counteracting shunt-coil arranged across the main line, and a battery -coil arranged between the series coil and the battery, said coils being arranged to magnetically control the field of said switchactuating generator,substantially as set forth.

The combination with the main line, a main generator supplying current to the same,

a storage battery arranged in parallel therewith, a switch for cutting cells in or out, a motor for shifting said switch' and agenerator supplying current to said motor, of a coil arranged in series with the main generator and the main line, acounteracting shunt-coil arranged across the main line,anda coil connecting one of the terminals of the battery with the main generator and wound to form a magnetic oontin nation of said series coil in the direction in which the current flows through said seriescoil and said battery-coil when the main generator charges the battery, said counteracting coils being arranged to magnetically control the field of said switchactuating generator,su bstan tially as set forth.

4. The combination with the main line, a main generator supplying current to the same, a storage battery, a switch for cutting cells in or out,'and a motor for shifting said switch, of a coil arranged in series with the main generator and main line, a variable resistance connected with opposite ends of said coil, a counteracting shunt-coil arranged across the main line, and a-generator which supplies current to said motor and which has its field magnetically controlled by said counteracting coils, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination with the main line, a main generator supplying current to the same, a storage battery, a switch for cutting cells in or out, and a motor for shifting said switch, of a coil arranged in series with the main generator and main line, a counteracting coil arranged in a shunt-line across the main line, a variable resistance in said shuntline, and a generator which supplies current to said motor and which has its field magnetically controlled by said counteracting coils, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination with'the main line, a

main generator supplying vcurrent to the same, a'storage battery, a switch for cutting cells in or out, and a motor for shifting said switch, of a coil arranged in series with the main generator and main line, a coil arranged between said series coil and said battery, a switch connecting said series coil with said battery-coil for cutting out part of the series coil, a shunt-coil counteracting said series coil and arranged across the main line, and a generator which supplies current to said motor and which has its field magnet-- ically controlled by said counteracting coils, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination with the main line, a main generator supplying current to the same, a storage battery, a switch for cutting cells in or out, and a motor for shifting said switch, of a coil arranged in series with the main generator and inain line, a coil arranged between said series coil and said battery, a switch connecting said series coil with said battery-coil for cutting out part oi? the series coil, an auxiliary switch also connecting said series coil with said battery-coil, a shunt-coil counteracting said series coil and arranged across the main line, and a generator which supplies current. to said motor and which has its field magnetically controlled by said counteracting coils, substantially as set forth.

8; The combination with the main line, a main generator supplying current to the erases same, a storage battery, a switch for cutting cells in or out, and a motor for shifting said switch, of a coil arranged in series with the main generator and main line, a coil arranged between said series coil and said battery, a variable resistance connected with opposits ends of said battery-coil, a shunt-coil counteracting said series coil and arranged across the main line,'and a generator which supplies current to said motor and which has its field magnetically controlled by said-countel-acting coils, substantially as set forth.

9. The corn bination with a main generator, ainain line, and a storage battery arranged in parallel'therewith and having end cells provided with separate charging-contacts, of an auxiliary generator for charging the end cells, and ineans'whereby the terminals of said auxiliary generator can be connected with the contacts of the end cells, thereby charging the same independently of the main cells of the battery, substantially as set forth.

10. The combination with a main generator, a main line, anda storage battery arranged in parallel therewith and having aseries of end cells, of two series of chargingicontacts for said end cells, the first end cell being connected with the first contact of the first series, the last end cell with the last contact of the second series and the intermediate end cells each with two contacts, one of each series, an

auxiliary generator forchargin g the end cells,

ALBERT S. HUBBARD. Witnesses:

WILLIAM S. GOULD, CHARLES M. GOULD.

Witness my hand this 1st day of March,

R. N. OHAMBERMIN. Witnesses;

JNO. BONNER, (1B. HORNBEOK. 

